>> FEATURED PROMOTIONS

We’re Looking for a Few Good Moms!

Are you a stay-at-home mom looking to earn some extra money but don't want a full-time job?? Kidnnected is looking for a few moms to help deliver our magazines every other month to local businesses waiting rooms. If you have a car, are insured, can commit to delivering the first week of every other month and looking to make a few extra dollars then give us a call at 281-661-1200 and speak to Kerri for more details.

Looking for the right camp, daycare or preschool but don't know where to begin? Join us for a ‘free’ fun-filled event for the whole family at Legends Sports Complex in The Woodlands Saturday, March 31st.

Hey kids… come have fun with all the activities planned. Parents… come meet directors, teachers and camp counselors so you can makethe best decision for your family about where to send your child. We’ve chosen the perfect venue with plenty of space to experience each camp, daycare & preschool.

Door prizeswill be given out every 15 minutes! Including half off tuition, a free week at camp, an iPad and more!

Beneffiting: The event is FREE! Kidnnected is asking all those attending to please bring a non-perishable food or personal hygiene item that will benefit the Interfaith Food Pantry.

_____________________________________________________

Community Autism Resources Forum

Have you or anyone you know been impacted by autism? Check out this event on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 7 pm at The Lodge at Creekside YMCA. It will be a powerful evening of good news, hope and information!

_____________________________________________________

HOUSE HUNTERS
Episode to air Thursday, January 26 at 9 pm

THE WOODLANDS, TX (January 17, 2012) – Tune into HGTV’s hit television show, House Hunters, on January 26 at 9 pm central standard time, and watch as a young family explores The Woodlands in search of their dream home.

With coordination by The Woodlands Film Commission, a crew from HGTV’s House Hunters followed a San Francisco couple and their two children as they toured The Woodlands, talked about what they were looking for in a new home and why the community is the right fit for their family.

“Segments with the family were shot on a Waterway Cruiser, a Waterway Trolley and at Waterway Square highlighting some of The Woodlands most distinguishing features,” said Connie DeGuerre of The Woodlands Area Film Commission, an organization charged with promoting The Woodlands as a viable area for the production of commercials, corporate videos and still photography. The commission also facilitates the production process by scouting locations, identifying local crews and securing housing.

“Filming House Hunters provided us with a great opportunity to showcase all of the exciting things happening in The Woodlands to a national audience,” says DeGuerre.

The Woodlands Area Film Commission is part of the South Montgomery County/Woodlands Chamber of Commerce with support from The Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau. For more information on The Woodlands Film Commission, visit www.TheWoodlandsFilmCommission.com.

_____________________________________________________

Fundraiser set to benefit local residents, Kerr and Browning, victims of accidental fire

Local residents, James Kerr and Steve Browning were recently involved in an accidental fire while repairing an automobile resulting in both men being severely burned . Brenda Paradise, a friend of the family has organized an upcoming benefit to assist both men and their families with growing medical bills as spouses of both Kerr and Browning are trying to support the family on a single paycheck while the two men recover. Kerr is still in ICU at Memorial Hermann Houston with burns more than 53 percent of his body.

"These two men are very dear to our community," Paradise said. "I work with James' wife, Wanda, at Posh Salon, and we are terribly sad about the accident that now has James and Steve recovering from severe burns. We are organizing this fundraiser benefit for them to help offset the many medical costs they will incur."

The event is scheduled to take place at Exit 73 Bar & Grill on Saturday, January 28, 4-9pm where there will be food and raffle prizes. Several local businesses have rallied for the fundraiser.

"James and Steve are like our extended family," Sean Finlay said, General Manager of Exit 73 Bar & Grill. "They are both our friends, our neighbors and part of our community and we are all about supporting those in our community especially in down times like this. We hope everyone will turn out for this event."

There will also be a Fun Run sponsored by Renegade Classics Biker Outlet The Woodlands on the same day of the fundraiser that will end up at Exit 73 Bar & Grill.

"This community has been so good to us and whenever I hear about someone that needs our support, I am going to be there for them," Stan Mauldin said, owner of Renegade. "Our community can count on us to jump in when there is a need."

Both the Fun Run and the Fundraiser will be held Saturday, January 28. Kickstands are up at 11am for the Fun Run and tickets are $20 Single Rider and $35 Double Rider. Registration begins at 10am at Renegade Classics.

The event is being organized and sponsored in part by Posh Salons where Brenda Paradise and Wanda Kerr work.

"Wanda is someone that comes in everyday with a smile on her face," Sherry Gholston said, owner of Posh Salons with her husband Ron. "She is the kind of person that would give you the shirt off her back and now it is our time to give to her and her husband. Both she and James are wonderful people and this is the least we can do for them."

Posh Salons is accepting raffle items to be donated at the fundraiser. For more information call Brenda Paradise at 281.642.7299 or go to Posh Salons located at 314 Sawdust Road in The Woodlands. For Fun Run registration and participation, Renegade Classics Biker Outlet The Woodlands is located at 25602 I-45 North in Spring and can be reached at 281.419.9600. The evening fundraiser will be held at Exit 73 Bar & Grill and is located at 24714 I-45 North in Spring and can be reached at 281.419.8445. Pictured is Brenda Paradise (far left) with Sean Finlay, GM Exit 73 Bar & Grill, Heather King and Harley DeLeon. Exit 73 Bar & Grill will be hosting the fundraiser event Saturday, January 28, 4-9pm. Music will be provided by West of the Trinity Band and Papa Bluez.

_____________________________________________________

3rd Annual Blanket Drive for Senior Citizens

Kidnnected is supporting the 3rd Annual Blanket Drive for Senior Citizens in our area hosted by Carolyn Gerken of A-Plus Services. Carolyn hosted a Bowling for Blankets fundraiser but they are short about 298 blankets. Help support the senior citizens in our area by donating a blanket and/or slippers for men & women. We will even come pick up your donation from you! Just give us a call at 281-661-1200 or you can drop off your donations to the collection box we have in the main lobby of the Texas Community Bank Building. Their address is 16610 I45, The Woodlands, TX 77384 (directly in front of Kohl's).

We thank you for your support!

_____________________________________________________

"What a brilliant idea!!!!"

My daughter's 10th birthday was this past weekend and I was looking for something 'different' to do….then I stumbled upon Moodylicious Children's Spa and her "Party in a Box"! For one set price you get EVERYTHING\ and I do mean everything! From the party invitations to the paper products, headbands, face wash/mask, nail polish, "bling" shirts for each party-goer as well as goodie bags filled with products, adorably decorated cookies and even thank you's too! She has thought of it all! The girls had a blast dressed in their cute pajamas and pretending they were at a spa. If you are looking for a unique way to celebrate your daughter's birthday or a girl's night out with your girlfriends (she has packages for us women too) then check out www.moodyliciouschildrensspa.com and mention Kidnnected sent you!

As a special offer just for Kidnnected readers, you can get the Moodylicious Party in a Box for only $199 (reg. $275)!!! What a deal! Be sure to mention Kidnnected to get your discount.

_____________________________________________________

hosted by:
The Woodlands United Methodist Church

Fun for the entire family! We will have trackless trains, a petting zoo, inflatables for the kids, carnival rides and some yummy carnival type food! Come join us for the 1st annual Fall Festival and enjoy the season!

_____________________________________________________

"How I Became a Home-Schooling Mom" contributed by Karen Branch

I’m the author of the Obsessive Mother’s Guide to Parenting column and I wanted to share my story of how I became a home-school mom. When I began this journey, I felt completely in the dark. Now, home-schooling is one of the hottest topics in my mom’s groups. Here’s what led me down that path:

My oldest daughter’s birthday is August 30th. Everyone encouraged me that she was ready for Kindergarten and in fact, it was a wonderful year. (Now, Kindergarten skills are mostly social ones and my daughter could run for President tomorrow with her spunky personality.)

By the start of the next year, we had moved houses and schools for 1st grade. That was when the problems began. I had lunch with my daughter one day and then walked her back to class. Her 1st grade teacher caught me at the door and asked for my help. My daughter had done very poorly on a paper and the teacher wanted my input as to what teaching methods might work well for her. I said, “You know she’s the youngest in your class, right?” The teacher replied, “No, she just had a birthday!” I said, “Yes, she just turned 6!” All her peers were 6 turning 7 and my daughter was 5 turning 6.

The troubled year continued. In a parent teacher conference I was told, “She is making A’s and B’s and is reading at grade level and I’m very worried about her.” I said, “Wait, I missed a step. Why are you very worried?” My daughter was only just barely keeping her head above water academically. She wasn’t below reading level, requiring special services from the school, nor well above it either. If my daughter failed or succeeded depended on the joint effort of the teacher and myself. That made her teacher nervous on her end. A classroom of 25+ kids with one teacher was not the ideal situation for a learner on the fence. The teacher was also convinced my daughter was dyslexic because as a child the teacher made similar mistakes.

My husband and I bought the Hooked on Phonics series and started my daughter on reading lessons after school, but honestly, she was so tired and over-stimulated from the 800+ kids in her school and an 8 hour school day, she didn’t want to do much more. I prayed and prayed about it. I didn’t think I had the patience to go full-time home-school and that would mean giving up teaching my math class at the community college. I also had no idea where to begin with curriculum and activities.

Fate intervened one afternoon with my answer. A neighbor recommended Spring Baptist’s Mother’s Day Out program for my three year old daughter. I made an appointment for a tour and walked right into the perfect solution. They also had a private K, 1st and 2nd grade. Very small class sizes, three days a week, 8:30am – 2:30pm, loving teachers….the whole nine yards. The students were sent home with Monday and Friday’s curriculum and the parents were expected to be their home-school teacher for those days. (A chance to dip my toe in the water of home-schooling without plunging in head first.)

I looked at the Director and said, “Can my daughter come here tomorrow?” She thought I was crazy, moving my child during the year. The 1st grade teacher also had her reservations, but they both agreed to let us test out the school and see if my daughter was a fit. That was a Wednesday in late February of last year. My daughter took to the school like a duck to water. She joined in socially with the rest of the class like they’d been together all year long. That evening both the Director and the teacher called me and asked that I do enroll my daughter there full-time. It was a perfect fit for all. I officially pulled her out of public school the next day and my daughter completed her 1st grade year with Spring Baptist Early Learning Center.

At the time I pulled my daughter out of school, she was reading on a level 10. To complete the 1st grade she should be at a 16. By the end of May, after just 3 months in this new classroom, my daughter was reading at a level 28.

Better than her academic achievements, I got my daughter back. Literally, I got so much more time with her, having her home on Monday’s and Friday’s, and emotionally too. She had a sparkle back in her eyes and loved the days she went to class. No more faking stomach aches and begging me to stay home, she was motivated to be a student again. At her public school, my daughter had been dealing with a bully in the class. She told me, after I changed her schools, that if she played with the bully at recess, the bully didn’t hurt her friend. I couldn’t believe the stress and drama she was dealing with at such a young age.

With our Monday’s and Friday’s free, I started a “Mommy & Me” class out of my church and did music & games with my daughters and several parents from my church and the community. Our group has graduated to “Adventure Kids” this year and we go on two field trips a month to various museums, the zoo, or other learning experiences. I’ve also discovered many classes offered for Home Schooled children in this area. On Monday’s my daughter takes 90 minute art lessons at the Woodlands Art League and then music lessons at Kindermusik where she's learning to play the dulcimer. On Friday’s she has a 90 minute science lesson at The Madame Newton Science Academy. Her days are filled with experiences, learning, fellowship, family time and fun. I am treasuring this time as a parent and growing personally in making that step towards full time home school. I get along better with her now at 7 years old than I did at 6. I’m hopeful when we’re on our own at 8 years old, we’ll have a system down. Spring Baptist Early Learning Center currently only goes through the 2nd grade. They are considering a 3rd, but if they decide not to, I’m on my own.

I’ve already made plans with the other moms of the classroom to start a co-op (share teaching responsibilities) and keep this wonderful group of kids together. Home-schooling went from something I feared to something I treasure. With the rise in class sizes, more and more parents are moving towards this choice. The home-school curriculum available is unlimited. (The Home School House on Robinson Rd is a great place to start and get questions answered.) You can be involved in as many group activities (religious, or not) and cooperative learning opportunities as you like. Your student can take all the swimming lessons, art & music, karate & dance they like during the day. If a home-school daytime class is not currently offered, you can speak with the manager and often they will form one a new class if you can get 5-10 more students signed up as well.

After all we’ve been through, I’m sold on Home-Schooling. It means I put my own career on hold for about 15 years, or move to teaching a night / Saturday class, but it is so worth it to see my daughter succeed and be so happy. If you have any questions or would like to share your experiences, please send them to my column: obsessivemothersguide@gmail.com

_____________________________________________________

Back to School Drive!

Kidnnected, The Houston Chronicle & Moms Helping Moms Texas would like to say THANK YOU to everyone who donated items for our Back to School Drive! We are able to help several schools & tons of children due to your generosity!!!! Check out our pictures on our Facebook page….though I forgot to take a picture of all the goodies before we bagged them up.

We are donating these items to Epps Island Elementary in the Klein school district & San Jacinto Elementary in Conroe ISD!!!!